Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has accused President Bola Tinubu's administration of allegedly deploying the judiciary to undermine opposition parties. This, he warns, could plunge Nigeria into political crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections. Frank called on the United States Government and other international community members to intervene and prevail on the Nigerian government to respect democratic principles, judicial independence, and opposition parties' constitutional rights.
Frank's comments come in response to a recent court judgment that raised concerns about attempts to frustrate the political ambition of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and weaken the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He described the judgment as a desperate attempt by those in power to use the judiciary to contain the growing political influence of the opposition. Frank alleged that the decision was part of a broader plot to prevent Atiku from participating effectively in the 2027 presidential election.
Frank further alleged that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike was being used as an intermediary to influence judicial actors against opposition politicians. He claimed that political meetings and consultations were held after Atiku's recent political outing in Sokoto, which generated considerable attention. According to Frank, the alleged moves were intended to frustrate Atiku's political ambition after attempts to prevent the Sokoto engagement from holding failed.
Frank urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to rise to the responsibility of protecting judicial independence and ensuring that the courts were not perceived as instruments of the ruling party. He warned that if the judiciary was perceived as an extension of the APC-led government, it would erode public confidence in democratic institutions and could drive Nigeria towards anarchy. Frank expressed hope that the Court of Appeal would approach the matter differently, cautioning that the controversy surrounding the judgment could heighten political tension if not properly addressed.
Frank appealed to the United States Government to call the Tinubu administration to order, while urging other international partners to closely monitor developments in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections. He stated that the alleged weaponisation of the judiciary against the opposition poses a grave threat to Nigeria's democracy and could plunge the country into a serious political crisis. Frank also accused the Tinubu administration of attempting to undermine political participation in the North by allegedly using judicial processes to weaken Atiku's presidential ambition.
Frank insisted that the controversy should not be viewed as a personal battle involving Atiku alone, but as a broader question concerning the survival of Nigeria's multiparty democracy. He warned that any government official found culpable in actions aimed at undermining opposition participation would be held accountable. Frank urged opposition parties and their supporters not to be discouraged by the development, insisting that unity, perseverance, and democratic participation remained essential to protecting the country's political future.
Frank called on youths, civil society organisations, elder statesmen, and former political leaders to unite in defence of judicial independence and democratic institutions. He cautioned political actors against celebrating the misfortunes of their opponents, arguing that a precedent established against one political leader could eventually affect others. Frank maintained that Nigeria must not be allowed to descend into political instability because of disagreements over electoral competition.
Key points
- Timi Frank accused President Tinubu's administration of using the judiciary to undermine opposition parties.
- Frank sought US intervention to prevail on the Nigerian government to respect democratic principles and judicial independence.
- The controversy surrounding the court judgment could heighten political tension if not properly addressed, Frank warned.
